ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Finance
Finance Minister presides over Passing Out Ceremony of the 69th Batch of IRS Officers
Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman presided over the Passing out ceremony of the 69th  Batch of Indian Revenue Service  Officers at the campus o National Academy of Customs, Indirect Tax & Narcotics , Faridabad, today. The 2017 Batch of Indian Revenue Service consists of 101 Officers including 24 lady officers. These young officers will be at the helm of administering GST, India’s biggest tax reform since independence.
In her valedictory address, the Finance Minister congratulated the 2017 Batch for successfully completing their training. She highlighted the importance of Customs in enforcing different laws of the land at the borders and protecting the economic frontiers of the country. She also emphasized the role of graduating officers as facilitators of trade and industry, in adjudicating the laws with conscience, and collection of revenue with integrity, which shall add up to nation building. Smt. Sitharaman also took the Guard of Honor and inspected the Passing Out Parade.
Shri P.K. Das, Chairman, CBIC, delivered the welcome address to the gathering in which he emphasised the need to maintain a fine balance between law enforcement and trade facilitation for the passing out Officers.
During the passing out ceremony, six officer trainees who have excelled in different areas of training were awarded medals for their exceptional achievements. Ms. Mishal Queenie D'Costa received the Finance Minister’s Gold Medal for the best overall performance.
The event was attended by senior officers of the Department, both serving and retired, as well as family members of Officers of the 2017 Batch and other distinguished guests.
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt visits Defence Electronics Applications Laboratory
Key Highlights:
- Appreciated efforts of the lab in developing state-of-the-art communication and surveillance systems and technologies
- Lauded efforts of DEAL towards the social responsibilities including setup of COVID-19 related support
Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt visited Defence Research and Development Organisation  premier lab, Defence Electronics Applications Laboratory  in Dehradun on October 08, 2021.
Director of DEAL Shri P K Sharma briefed the Raksha Rajya Mantri about various ongoing and planned projects and the production status of the products developed by the laboratory and users’ satisfaction.
During the visit, Shri Ajay Bhatt discussed the activities of DEAL at length and made several suggestions towards encouraging private production units in Uttarakhand to boost local defence manufacturing and also on induction policy of products developed by the DRDO.
The Raksha Rajya Mantri was demonstrated the products and technologies developed by the DEAL for the Armed Forces. This included SDR, GSAT-6 terminals, Troposcatter Modem, HD-VLF communication system and Data Links for RUSTOM-II MALE UAV and AEW&CS.
Shri Ajay Bhatt appreciated the efforts of laboratory in developing state-of-the-art communication and surveillance systems and technologies. He also lauded the efforts of the DEAL towards the social responsibilities including setup of COVID-19 related support, communication support during natural calamities, providing internship to engineering graduates and post graduates, organising webinars with universities, and showcasing of products developed by the laboratory for general public at various occasions. He also planted a sapling on the campus of the laboratory.
Ministry of Finance
Creation of vertical gardens by the Income Tax Department by using waste plastic bottles
The Income Tax Department has come up with a unique idea which addresses the concerns of plastic waste and creation of green spaces in urban areas. This is the concept of making vertical gardens or green walls by using waste plastic bottles, an initiative being spearheaded by IRS officer Shri Rohit Mehra. He has executed this idea by using waste plastic bottles as containers for making vertical gardens on walls of Government buildings. It addresses the above twin issues simultaneously by recycling the waste plastic and reusing it for a positive purpose.
This has been replicated on many Government buildings including the offices and guest houses of Income Tax Department at various places in India. It not only reuses plastic but also helps in substantial reduction of surrounding pollution, apart from improving the aesthetics of the buildings. Till date, this initiative has led to reuse of over 7 lakh waste plastic bottles and planting of over 7 lakh plants. So far, 900 such vertical gardens have been created in 17 Indian States and more than 50 districts of India. This has led to reuse of 70 tons  of single-use waste plastic which otherwise would have gone to landfills.
Further, the largest vertical garden in the country made with waste plastic bottles has been created at the Income Tax Office, Ludhiana. It covers an area of 10,135 square feet and has also found a place in the Limca Book of Records.
The Department has also amplified this initiative by collaborating with other organizations and institutions to create vertical gardens. Such gardens have been created at Schools, Colleges, Gurudwaras, Government buildings, IITs, Court-premises, Police stations, Prisons, Corporate Houses, Industrial-Houses, Hotels, Bridges and flyovers etc. The cities presently covered under this initiative are Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Roorkee, Bhatinda, Sangrur, Patiala, Chandigarh, Jammu, Vadodara, Delhi, Surat and Mumbai.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India achieves significant landmarks in reduction of Child Mortality
Following a steady downward trend, IMR, U5MR and NMR further decline
India poised to meet SDG 2030 targets of Child Mortality under leadership of Hon. Prime Minister with focused interventions, strong Centre-State partnership and dedication of health workers: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya
In a significant milestone, India has achieved landmark achievement in further reduction of child mortality rates. As per the Sample Registration System  Statistical Report 2020 released on 22nd September 2022 by Registrar General of India , the country has been witnessing a progressive reduction in IMR, U5MR and NMR since 2014 towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals  targets by 2030.
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya congratulated the nation on this achievement and thanked all health workers, caregivers and community members for relentlessly working towards reducing child mortality. “There has been sustained decline since 2014, as revealed by SRS 2020. India is poised to meet 2030 SDG targets of child mortality under leadership of Hon. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji with focused interventions, strong Centre-State partnership and dedication of all health workers”, he stated.
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INDICATOR
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SRS 2014
|
|
SRS 2019
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|
SRS 2020
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|
Crude Birth Rate 
|
|
21.0
|
|
19.7
|
|
19.5
|
|
Total Fertility Rate
|
|
2.3
|
|
2.1
|
|
2.0
|
|
Early Neonatal Mortality Rate  – 0- 7 days
|
|
20
|
|
16
|
|
15
|
|
Neonatal Mortality Rate 
|
|
26
|
|
22
|
|
20
|
|
Infant Mortality Rate 
|
|
39
|
|
30
|
|
28
|
|
Under 5 Mortality Rate 
|
|
45
|
|
35
|
|
32
Following a steady downward trend, IMR, U5MR and NMR have further declined:
· Under 5 Mortality Rate  for the country has shown significant decline of 3 points  from 2019 . It varies from 36 in rural areas to 21 in urban areas.
-
- U5MR for Female is higher  than male . There has been a decline of 4 points in male U5MR and 3 points in female U5MR during the corresponding period.
- Highest decline of U5MR is observed in the State of Uttar Pradesh  and Karnataka 
- Infant Mortality Rate  has also registered 2-point decline to 28 per 1000 live births in 2020 from 30 per 1000 live births in 2019 .
- The Rural-Urban difference has narrowed to 12 points .
- No gender differential has observed in 2020 .
- Neonatal Mortality Rate has also declined by 2 points from 22 per 1000 live births in 2019 to 20 per 1000 live births in 2020 . It ranges from 12 in urban areas to 23 in rural areas.
As per SRS 2020 Report,
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- Six  States/ UT have already attained SDG target of NMR : Kerala , Delhi , Tamil Nadu , Maharashtra , Jammu & Kashmir  and Punjab .
- Eleven  States/UT have already attained SDGs target of U5MR : Kerala , Tamil Nadu , Delhi , Maharashtra , J&K , Karnataka , Punjab , West Bengal , Telangana , Gujarat , and Himachal Pradesh .
Prime Minister's Office
PM expresses happiness over metro trial run under Hooghly river in Kolkata
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi expressed happiness over metro trial run under Hooghly river in Kolkata.
In response to the tweet by Union Minister for Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Prime Minister tweeted;
“Great news for Kolkata and an encouraging trend for public transport in India.”
Ministry of Defence
Successful tests of weapon systems by DRDO
Twenty eight  successful tests have been carried out by DRDO in the last one year. The major weapons and other systems that have been handed over to the armed forces by DRDO are: Astra Beyond Visual Range Missile System, 10 m Short Span Bridging System, Indian Maritime Situational Awareness System , Heavy Weight Torpedo  Varunastra, Border Surveillance System  and Arjun Mk-1A. The development cum Production Partner  policy for DRDO developed systems ensures involvement of industries from the beginning of development cycle, thus enabling industries and facilitating hand-holding throughout the development phase.
DRDO is a research and development organisation. All systems designed and developed by DRDO are manufactured by the Indian industries which includes both public and private sectors entities. Some of the Systems that are developed by such collaboration during last one year are as follows: Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System , Extended Range Pinaka System & Guided Pinaka Rocket System, 10 m Short Span Bridging System, Indian Maritime Situational Awareness System , Heavy Weight Torpedo  Varunastra, Border Surveillance System  and Arjun Mk-1A etc.
DRDO has many foreign collaborations. DRDO works in futuristic R&D and technology development in collaboration with some Foreign Countries. DRDO co-chairs the following G-to-G Forums:-
· India-USA Joint Technology Group
· Indo-Israel Management Council
· India-Russia R&D Subgroup
· India-Singapore defence technology steering committee
· India-UK steering committee
· India-Korea steering committee
This information was tabled in a written reply by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik to a question asked by Shrimati Rita Bahuguna Joshi in Lok Sabha today.
ABB/Nampi/KA/DK/Savvy
(Visitor Counter : 794
Ministry of Development of North-East Region
Development of Horticulture at East Garo Hills, Meghalaya by North Eastern Council , to ensure employment
Horticulture Development at Nokrek Region, East Garo Hills, Meghalaya by North Eastern Council , MDoNER to ensure direct and indirect employment to the villagers and surroundings areas.
In order to ensure, direct and indirect employment to the villagers and surroundings areas North Eastern Council , MDoNER have implemented a project for Horticulture Development at Nokrek Region, East Garo Hills, Meghalaya through Department of Horticulture, Govt. of Meghalaya at a total cost of Rs. 439.94 lakhs with State Contributing Rs, 44 Lakhs out of the total project cost. The project got completed on 4th March, 2020.
The Project aims to provide direct and indirect employment to the villagers and surrounding areas. By practicing multiple cropping there will be increased in the cropping intensity which results better land use and increased productivity. The hi-tech green house and drip irrigation system will be introduced in the area. It will promote agriculture entrepreneurship thereby reducing series of middleman in marketing. Hence, it envisages providing direct and indirect income generation among the farmers.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Preservation and Documentation of Threatened Tribal Languages
The endorsement of endangered tribal languages through innovative and cultural programmes does instill a sense of pride among tribal communities. Under the scheme of ‘Support to Tribal Research Institute , Ministry of Tribal Affairs extends support to TRIs for carrying out various research & documentation activities including programs for documentation of tribal languages, dialects, art, culture, dance, music and development of bilingual Primers. Accordingly, TRIs are conducting documentation and preservation of endangered tribal languages through preparation of primers, dictionaries and organization of cultural programmes.
Mother Tongue Based Multi-Lingual Education , an innovative pedagogic initiative which plays a key role in preserving tribal languages is adopted in Andhra Pradesh. This approach bridges gap between home and school languages which enable better learning.
Further, under the component “Financial Assistance for support to Centres of Excellence” of the scheme "Tribal Festival, Research, information and Mass Education", financial assistance is provided to repute Institution for carrying out research study programmes including documentation of tribal languages. In this regard, Ministry has sanctioned projects to Bhasha Research and Publication Centre during 2018-19 and 2019-20 which inter- alia covered activity of identification and documentation of threatened/dying languages. The organization has carried out documentation of Korku, Nihali, Kolami, Vadi, Halpati, Dungra Bhili, Dhavadi, Dhatti, Thali, Nahal and Seheriya languages.
The Ministry has also recently developed a digital document repository  where TRIs have now started uploading all the activities, document, research reports, publications, which is available in public domain.
This information was given by Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Smt. Renuka Singh Saruta in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
E-Commerce Retail Companies
Representations alleging violations of extant laws by e-commerce companies, have been received. In this regard, representations received are being examined by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade  and certain alleged contraventions under the FDI Policy, are also being investigated against certain e-commerce retail companies under provisions of Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 by the Directorate of Enforcement. Further, several complaints against e-commerce entities, including related associate/holding companies etc, which are operating as marketplace platforms, online sellers/service providers, search engines service providers operating in different verticals etc, regarding anti-competitive behavior, are being looked into by Competition Commission of India.
In order to provide clarity to the extant FDI Policy on e-commerce, DPIIT,had issued Press Note 2 of 2018 on 26.12.2018. However, no specific instructions have been provided by DPIIT to any e-commerce foreign companies having FDI, operating in Retail Sector. Department of Consumer Affairs, has released the Consumer Protection  Rules, 2020 on 23.07.2020, to clarify liability on e-commerce entities for goods/services provided. Mandatory declarations specifying country of origin, have also been imposed as requirement for e-commerce entities under the Legal Metrology  Rules, 2011 as per O.M. WM-7/2020 dated 03.07.2020 by Department of Consumer Affairs.
This information was given by the UnionMinister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Development of North-East Region
Sikkim Governor Shri Ganga Prasad calls on DoNER Minister Jitendra Singh
The Governor of Sikkim, Shri Ganga Prasad called on Union DoNER Minister Dr Jitendra Singh here today and congratulated him for being sworn-in as Minister for Northeast for the second consecutive term.
Shri Ganga Prasad shared with the DoNER Minister the recent political developments in Sikkim. During the meeting, the Governor also took up with the DoNER Minister the issue of newly opened Pakyong Airport at Sikkim which, according to him, required further extension to make it more functional and useful.
Dr Jitendra Singh informed the Governor that Sikkim had got its first airport after nearly 40 years and that too, with the personal intervention of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi who had personally followed up the project through his weekly "PRAGATI" video conference meetings with the State authorities. He assured the Governor that he would discuss the remaining issues related to the Pakyong airport with the Aviation Ministry.
The Governor expressed his satisfaction for the overwhelming response of tourists to the State in the last few years. The income generated from the unprecedented tourist flow, he said, if utilized optimally, could prove a game-changer for several developmental activities in the State.
While assuring of all possible support to Sikkim from the Ministry of DoNER, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the Railway authorities have also been approached to undertake the extension of rail-network in the State.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 Vaccination Update- Day 222
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage crosses 60 Cr landmark milestone
More than 66 lakh Vaccine Doses administered today till 7 pm
In a significant achievement, India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 60 Crore  landmark milestone as per the 7 pm provisional report today. More than 66 lakh  Vaccine Doses have been administered today, as per the 7 pm provisional report. Final reports would be completed for the day by late tonight.
The cumulative coverage of vaccine doses, segregated based on population priority groups, is as follows:
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Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
|
|
Healthcare workers
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|
Frontline workers
|
|
People Aged 18-44 Years
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|
People Aged 45-59 Years
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|
People Aged ≥ 60 Years
|
|
Total
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10355095
|
|
18311679
|
|
227378071
|
|
125227082
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|
84432720
|
|
465704647
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|
2nd Dose
|
|
8270913
|
|
12774285
|
|
22221573
|
|
50558615
|
|
42895238
|
|
136720624
Today’s achievement in the vaccination exercise, segregated by population priority groups, is as follows:
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|
|
|
Date: 25thAugust, 2021 
|
|
|
|
Healthcare workers
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|
Frontline workers
|
|
People Aged 18-44 Years
|
|
People Aged 45-59 Years
|
|
People Aged ≥ 60 Years
|
|
Total
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
742
|
|
1990
|
|
3432703
|
|
868543
|
|
368377
|
|
4672355
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
19152
|
|
60555
|
|
998964
|
|
570492
|
|
300819
|
|
1949982
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.
Ministry of Power
Raigarh-Pugalur High Voltage Direct Current  Pole I put into commercial operation
POWERGRID commissions Pole-1 of the Raigarh Pugalur HVDC Transmission system comprising {1500 Mega Watt } +800 kilovolt , Raigarh HVDC Terminal Station  & Pugalur HVDC Terminal Station  along with 1765 kms long ±800 kV, HVDC line from Raigarh to Pugalur and 2 nos. of HVAC lines in Tamil Nadu. As per the statement of Power Grid Corporation of India Limited , ‘Maharatna’ Enterprise under Ministry of Power, this system will facilitate power flow of 1500 MW from Western Region to Southern Region ensuring reliable and quality power supply.
POWERGRID has completed this gigantic system despite many challenges and lockdown restrictions encountered during COVID19 pandemic due to its professional expertise and project management capabilities.
The pole-I having a 1500 MW capacity, is the first leg of the 6000 MW Raigarh – Pugalur HVDC Project, between Western and Southern Region, which is envisaged for evacuation of bulk power generated by Independent Power Producers  in the state of Chhattisgarh using the State-of-the-Art HVDC technology. Implementation of balance portion of this project is in advanced stage and will be integrated in a phased manner during FY 2020-21.
Power Grid Corporation of India Limited , is a ‘Maharatna’ Enterprise under Ministry of Power, Government of India and with the use of state-of-the-art maintenance techniques, automation and digitization, POWERGRID has been maintaining average transmission system availability above 99%. As on August 31, 2020, the total transmission assets of POWERGRID and its subsidiaries stood at 164,511 ckm of transmission lines, 249 Sub-stations and more than 414,774 MVA of transformation capacity.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in States/UTs
More than 203.51 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 3.10 Crore balance and unutilized vaccine doses still available with States/UTs
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The nationwide COVID 19 vaccination started on 16th January 2021. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
|
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VACCINE DOSES
|
|

|
|
SUPPLIED
|
|
2,03,51,10,225
|
|
BALANCE AVAILABLE
|
|
3,10,43,180
More than 203.51 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Govt. of India  and through direct state procurement category.
More than 3.10 Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses $are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
Ministry of Development of North-East Region
Meghalaya Power Minister Mr James Sangma calls on DoNER Minister Dr Jitendra Singh
The Meghalaya Minister for Power, Mr James P.K. Sangma called on Union Minister of State  Development of North Eastern Region , MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh here today to discuss about the various development projects and the current scenario in the State.
Dr Jitendra Singh appreciated the manner in which the new government under Chief Minister Mr Conrad Sangma had put the things on fast track and shown a visible effort to bring about transformation. He also appreciated the discretion and wisdom with which the government tackled the local protests which had arisen out of a social dispute, soon after the government had taken over.
Referring to the high priority that Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi accorded to the Northeast and Meghalaya, Dr Jitendra Singh noted that Sh Narendra Modi was the first Prime Minister after nearly 40 years, who had travelled to Shillong to participate in the Plenary meeting of North Eastern Council . During his two-day stay, he recalled, Sh Narendra Modi met a series of delegations from all walks of the life and all sections of the society.
Dr Jitendra Singh also referred to the Railway track work undertaken in the State which had, for so many years, never seen a train. He insisted upon the Minister to discuss with the Chief Minister and find an appropriate way of enabling the expansion of air-strip / airport at Shillong.
Mr James Sangma appreciated Dr Jitendra Singh's gesture of having recently visited the "Behdienkhlam" Mela at Jowai, Meghalaya, which had sent a very positive message, because the place had been rarely visited by a Union Minister in the past.
Mr Sangma also thanked the DoNER Minister for his regular visits and keen interest in the development of the State. He also appreciated the big boost given to the Power Sector by the Modi Government in the last four years.